Dan Reed (photo taken by Helen Daley)
Helen Daley
It’s time to get ready for Christmas, and the best way to start the season is by attending a wonderful music performance by Dan Reed’s Dixieland Hotshots on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m., hosted by the Arizona Classic Jazz Society at the Crowne Plaza Phoenix-Chandler Golf Resort, at One San Marcos Place, in Chandler. This will be the best Christmas program you will attend all month—certainly one you will never forget, because it always follows Dan’s slogan of “Keeping It Fun.”
This Christmas Party will be filled with danceable Christmas tunes, many of them with a jazzy twist. The “Hotshots” is comprised of some of the Valley’s best musicians: Dan Reed, leader and trumpet player; Bryan Artherr on tuba; Richard Bogan on drums and vocals; Cheryl Thurston on piano and vocals; Elliot Ventimiglia on reeds; and Greg Varlotta on trombone and vocals.
The Dec. 4 jazz party will begin with the annual membership meeting for ACJS, and it starts at 12:45 p.m.
This is the time of year when we want to spread cheer to those less fortunate. If you are planning to attend on the 4th, it would be very much appreciated if you would bring an unwrapped gift for a child, along with wrapping paper. All donations will be given to the Salvation Army for distribution. Cash donations are also accepted.
The Arizona Classic Jazz Society presents eight jazz parties and one festival every year. The cost for the jazz parties is $15 for ACJS members; $20 non-members (become a new member on the 4th and get in free that day; membership for a full 12 months is $35 per couple, $25 single). There are two dance floors and a choice of table or theater seating. For more information, go to www.azclassicjazz.org or call 480-620-3941.